Who's On-Deck For September Call-Ups?

Gregg Shore

08/19/2010

As we edge closer and closer to the first day of September, the question of who will be joining the big league club comes into conversations. Here's an early look at some of the candidates and their chances of moving to Philadelphia.

The traditional mid-August debate is upon us as the
Phillies must consider who to call up from their minor league system in their
push to overtake
Atlanta
and solidify their wildcard lead over San Francisco/St. Louis during the final
weeks of the season.When the
calendar hits September 1, major league rosters expand from their traditional 25
player limit to a 40 player limit for the balance of the regular season.

While few, if any teams take advantage of more than 33 or
34 spots, the Phillies have traditionally called up between four and eight
players for the season's final month. The Phillies currently have 38 players
on their 40 man roster, so the addition of any more than two additional players
outside of the 40 will necessitate additional roster moves (most likely
transferring Jamie Moyer from the 15 day DL to the 60 day DL, which creates an
extra slot).

The Probabilities:
The Phillies will call up a backup catcher.Both Paul Hoover and Dane Sardinha have spent time in
Philadelphia
this year, with Sardinha having a bit more success in
Philadelphia
.However, Sardinha has struggled
mightily since the all-star break, hitting just .150 and playing poor defense.I would expect
Hoover
to get the call, as he has done during both the 2008 and 2009 campaigns.
Hoover
will need to be added to the 40 man roster.Outfielder John Mayberry has
been swinging a hot bat as of late, is a member of the 40 man roster, and has
the ability to hit for power and has some speed.Expect to see Mayberry in
Philadelphia
in two weeks.

Looking at the pitching staff, two names immediately come
up, Antonio Bastardoand Scott Mathieson.Although Bastardo has
struggled in
Philadelphia
during his stint there this year, he has allowed a run in only one of his 18
Triple-A outings and will add a much needed left-handed arm to the bullpen.J.C. Romero has struggled tremendously, and adding Bastardo will give
Charlie Manuel at least another option from the left side.Mathieson has been very impressive all year (with a couple of late season
bumps in the road), throws very hard (97-100 mph) consistently, can pitch
multiple innings and his secondary pitches have been thrown with success. He can
be used effectively in the middle innings without hesitation. I would also look
to Vance Worleyto get the call as a
potential spot starter/long relief man in the season's final month. Worley,
22, has pitched well for both Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley this
year going 9-6 with a 3.40 ERA over 137.2 innings.Look for Worley, rather than the struggling Andrew Carpenter to get the
call up.

The Possibilities:
If Greg Dobbs accepts his assignment
to
AAA
Lehigh
Valley
, both he and first baseman Andy Tracy
are possibilities for call up.If
Dobbs goes, it will be simply because of loyalty by the Phils organization to
Dobbs who has had an awful year.
Tracy
, 36, just hit his 17th homer of the year in a season in which he has
been bothered by shoulder problems and a strained oblique muscle.
Tracy
continues to be close to the top of the International League rankings in both
walks and on-base and gives you a good at-bat and a great attitude.Left-handed reliever Mike Zagurski may also see time in
Philadelphia
. The 27 year-old Zagurski was called up earlier this year and pitched
moderately well during his stint in
Philadelphia
.After significant struggles when
he initially returned to
Lehigh
Valley
, Zagurski, who is on the 40 man roster, seems to have turned it around.

The Long shot:
The Phils have shown some tendency to lean towards a "base running
specialist" in their call ups during years past.While there is no true "prospect" with blazing speed at a high level
of the minors, Minor league veteran Rich Thompson has stolen 31 bases in 34 attempts this year between Reading and
Lehigh Valley. A smart ballplayer with a great attitude, Thompson's abilities
on the base paths would be a late inning luxury for the Phils.Thompson would have to be added to the 40 man roster.